Multi-Purpose Wrap

ABSTRACT

A multi-use wrap is provided which is wearable in myriad different styles, under various categories. The wrap preferably is a substantially rectangular piece of fabric having first and second opposed long edges and first and second opposed short edges, and having a seam along all edges including a fusible interfacing incorporated therein. The wrap can be a shawl that can be worn as a caplet, pinned, belted, off the shoulder, off two shoulders or buttoned down the back. The second implementation is as a sleeve fully buttoned and put on like a jacket or buttoned in back for a covered shoulder effect. The third implementation is as a neck scarf simply tied in front, double tied in front, loosely wrapped, braided, one end tucked inside the other, wrapped around the head. The fourth implementation is as a skirt buttoned on one side with a V shape in the front, to the side or in the back. The fifth implementation is as a top fastened around the neck as a halter top or fastened in the front as a strapless/maternity top. The wrap of the present invention is readily foldable and transportable.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-Provisional Application related to and claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/842,662, filed Jul. 3, 2013. The contents of the preceding are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[Not Applicable]

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a single-piece multi-purpose garment that can be worn in myriad configurations, while also being stylish and convenient. A multi-purpose garment has been disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 20090126078. While such a garment has multi-purpose use, it consists of two separate fabric members. Similarly, a dual purpose scarf accessory and outer protective garment is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120137416 but can only be worn covering an individual's neck and arms. Finally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009073965 claims a multi-purpose shawl, which can only be secured by tying or knotting. Therefore there is a need for a multi-purpose accessory that can be positioned as a decorative, as well as protective, garment with readily connectable and releasable attachment mechanisms.

The inventions disclosed herein are directed to a multi-purpose garment positioned as a sleeve or as an outer protective garment, but having myriad different configurations.

The inventive wrap is a desirable and useful garment that can be worn in at least twenty different ways which are both decorative and provide outer protection.

Environments that can often seem cold to someone wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress require certain accoutrement that someone in a more complete outfit might not need. It would be useful to have apparel that could function as a decorative accessory and also provide outer protection and warmth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multi-purpose wrap is preferable to prior art single-purpose garments because it is easy to use and can be worn in over twenty different ways. It offers not only outer garment protection but is also decorative. The design can be produced in a wide range of fabrics and various embodiments. The seams of the multi-purpose wrap can also be reinforced with a variety of fusible interfacings. The versatility of the multi-purpose wrap is enhanced by the storage/travel bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front flat view of the multi-purpose wrap 10. This preferred embodiment has two sets of six button holes 11 and 14 spaced 3″ apart beginning 1″ into the garment's ½″ seamed edge along each of the garment's long edges. This preferred embodiment also has two sets of six buttons 12 and 13 spaced 3″ apart beginning 1″ into the garment's ½″ seamed edge along each of the garment's long edges. In this preferred embodiment the garment's ½″ seamed edges 15 and 16 have mitered ends 17.

FIG. 2 represents a preferred embodiment of the multi-purpose wrap 10 folded over along a folded edge 20 and secured at edges 21 and 22. This preferred embodiment of the garment 10 has a fold 20 and two secured (buttoned) edges 21 and 22. This preferred embodiment also has a 28″ opening 23 in the garment 10. This preferred embodiment creates two side openings 24 and 25 in garment 10.

FIG. 3 represents a pouch of a bag 35 that the multi-purpose garment 10 can be stored and/or travel in when not in use. The measurements of the pouch can change to accommodate the various sizes of the multi-purpose garment, but one preferred embodiment has a ¼″ seamed drawstring opening 30 that is 6″ wide to accommodate an embodiment of the garment being approximately 26″ by 62″. This preferred embodiment of the pouch also has approximately 9″ long opposing sides 31 and 32 with ⅛″ seam allowance. This preferred embodiment has an approximately 6″ wide bottom 33 of the bag (pouch) with ⅛″ seam allowance. This preferred embodiment also has an 18″ drawstring 34 at the opening.

FIG. 4 represents a preferred embodiment of the multi-purpose wrap 10 with curved short edges 40 and 41.

FIG. 5 represents another view of a preferred embodiment of the multi-purpose wrap 10 with curved short edges 40 and 41.

FIG. 6 represents another view of a preferred embodiment of the multi-purpose wrap 10 with curved short edges 40 and 41.

FIG. 1A shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a shawl when it is fastened on the shoulder and draped in back. FIG. 1B shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a shawl when it is fastened at the shoulder using a decorative pin and drape toward the front. FIG. 1C shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a shawl when it is fastened in front and drapes down the center. FIG. 1D shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a shawl when it is secured using a looser fastener, exposing one shoulder. FIG. 1E shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a shawl when it is secured using an even looser fastener, exposing both shoulders. FIG. 1F shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a shawl when it is fastened down the back equally or unequally, fully or partially.

FIG. 2A shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a sleeve when the fasteners are secured fully and equally down both arms. FIG. 2B shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a sleeve when the fasteners are not secured fully in back with the arms covered.

FIG. 3A shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a scarf when it is fully or partially fastened and the elongated fabric is wrapped around the neck and tied. FIG. 3B shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a scarf when it is fully and equally fastened and the elongated fabric is wrapped around the neck twice. FIG. 3C shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a scarf when it is fully and equally fastened and the elongated fabric is wrapped around the neck once. FIG. 3D shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a scarf when it is equally fastened and the elongated fabric creates a tubular shape when wrapped around the neck with the end placed inside the upper opening.

FIG. 4A shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a skirt when the elongated fabric is wrapped around the waist and secured down the center. FIG. 4B shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a skirt when the elongated fabric is fully or partially, equally or unequally, fastened on either side of the waist. FIG. 4C shows a view of the multi-purpose garment of the present invention used as a skirt when the elongated fabric is fully or partially, equally or unequally, fastened down the back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concept(s) is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components, steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or in the drawings. The inventive concept(s) disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments or of being used or manufactured in a variety of ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The preferred embodiment of the multi-purpose garment (wrap) 10 comprises an elongated, fabric member with a preferable width of 10″ to 36″ and a length greater than the width and preferably between 24″ and 74″, and having a centrally located section midway along its length. First and second arm-covering sections extend equally from the centrally located section and longitudinally along the opposing lengths of the elongated fabric member. Fasteners 12 and 13 are also positioned equally along the opposing lengths of the elongated fabric. The lengths of the garment 10 can vary, but preferably range from 24″ to 55″ long by 10″ to 25″ wide for a young girl, or from about 56″ to 74″ long by 26″ to 36″ wide for an adult woman. The elongated fabric can be a single section or several sections combined together. The shape of the multi-purpose garment (wrap) 10 is substantially rectangular in the preferred embodiment, but it can be modified without losing the inventive aspects. For example, the multi-purpose garment (wrap) 10 can also have curved short edges 40 and 41, as seen in FIG. 4. The multi-purpose garment (wrap) 10 can also have various decorative trims. The seams 15 and 16 can preferably range from ¼″ to 1″ wide.

The preferred embodiment of the multi-purpose garment 10 has seams 15, 16, 17, 18 ranging from ¼″ to 1″ wide. In a preferred embodiment the seams 15, 16, 17, 18 are reinforced with fusible interfacing. Examples of woven fusible interfacings include Bi-Strech Lite by Pellon; Kuffner Woven by Kuffner; Shape-Flex by Stacy; hair canvas or hymo; wigan; and Touch O' Gold, Flex Weave, Satin Weave, Armo Rite, Form-Flex All Purpose, Form-Flex, or Fusible Acro by HTC. Examples of non-woven fusible interfacings include Fusible, Designer's Sheer, Sof-Shape, #911FF Fusible, Designer's Lite, Easy Shaper, Tailor's Elite, #931TD Fusible, Pel-Aire, and Tailor's Touch by Pellon; Sheer D'Light Featherweight, Sheer D'Light Lightweight, Form-Flex Nonwoven, Fusi-Form Lightweight, Sheer D'Light Mediumweight, Shirt-Shaper, Softouch, and Armo Fusi-Form by HTC. Examples of knit fusible interfacings include EasyKnit by Stacy; Delicate Warp; Delicate Weft; Kuffner Weft by Kuffner; Ultra Weft by Pellon; and Feather Weft, So-Sheer, Fusi-Knit, Sofbrush, Sofknit, Textured Weft, Whisper Weft, and Armo Weft by HTC.

Seams 15, 16, 17, 18 of the multi-purpose garment 10 can also be reinforced with sew-in interfacing. Examples of woven sew-in interfacing include collar canvas; hair canvas or hymo; hair cloth; buckram; crinoline; netting; wigan; and Armo Press Firm, Armo Press Soft, Form-Flex Woven, Sta-Form Durable Press, Veri-Shape Durable Press, Acro, and Tailor's Pride by HTC. Examples of non-woven sew-in interfacing include #905 Sew-in, #910 Sew-in, and #930 Sew-in by Pellon; and Intra-Face Bias Featherweight, Intra-Face Lightweight, Sew-Shape Featherweight, Intra-Face Bias Lightweight, Intra-Face Mediumweight, Intra-Face Durable Press, and Intra-Face Heavyweight by HTC. An example of a knit sew-in interfacing is Sewin' Sheer by HTC.

It should also be noted that the multi-purpose garment (wrap) 10 is readily folded and easily transported, and thus will be brought to the market in a manner that is attractive and convenient. For example, the multi-purpose garment (wrap) 10 could be brought in a proper size fabric casing, seen in FIG. 3, that is easily transportable, and can be used for travel and storage.

The multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention can be worn in a variety of ways as a shawl, seen in FIGS. 1A-1F, sleeve, seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, scarf, seen in FIGS. 3A-3D, skirt, seen in FIGS. 4A-4C, or different versions of a top. For example, the multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention can be worn as a shawl in myriad ways, including as a caplet, seen in FIG. 1A, pinned or buttoned in the front, seen in FIGS. 1B and 1C, buttoned in the back, seen in FIG. 1F, off one shoulder, seen in FIG. 1D, off both shoulders, seen in FIG. 1E, or even tucked under one arm. A belt may also be added to any of these styles, as seen in FIG. 1C. The multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention can be worn as a scarf in myriad ways, including draped around the neck, draped around the neck and tucked in, seen in FIG. 3D, tied around the neck once or twice, seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, wrapped around the neck once or twice, seen in FIG. 3C, draped around the neck and knotted twice or braided, tied around the neck in a European knot, wrapped around the neck as an infinity scarf, worn with a bracelet used to hold in place or as a decorative accessory, or worn as a head wrap or hoodie. The multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention can also be worn as a sleeve or a half sleeve, buttoned in front or behind, as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention can be worn as a skirt or sarong and buttoned in the front, as seen in FIG. 4A, on the side, as seen in FIG. 4B, or in the back, as seen in FIG. 4C. The multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention can also be worn as either a halter top wrapped and buttoned around the neck and as a maternity/sleeveless top buttoned in the front at the chest.

The multi-purpose wrap 10 can also be worn in a half sleeve/poncho. In this configuration, one half of the wrap is fastened to form a sleeve. The other half is draped around the back and over the opposing shoulder and fastened in front. In another style, the multi-purpose wrap 10 can also be worn in an asymmetrical style, whereby it is placed over one shoulder and fastened underneath the opposing arm. In an infinity scarf style, the multi-purpose wrap 10 is placed over the shoulders and fastened at the bottom on both ends, forming a continuous loop. It can then be double wrapped or worn long in front.

As can be seen, the multi-purpose wrap 10 of the present invention is extremely versatile and unique and constitutes a substantial improvement over the prior art. 

We claim as our invention:
 1. A multi-purpose garment for wearing by a person, comprising: a. a substantially rectangular piece of fabric having first and second opposed long edges and first and second opposed short edges, and having a seam along all edges including a fusible interfacing incorporated therein; b. a first set of buttons aligned along the first long edge beginning proximate the first short edge and spaced equidistantly beginning therefrom; c. a second set of buttons aligned along the second long edge proximate the second short edge and spaced equidistantly beginning therefrom; d. a first set of button holes aligned along the second long edge beginning proximate the first short edge and spaced equidistantly therefrom; and e. a second set of button holes aligned along the first long edge beginning proximate the second short edge and spaced equidistantly therefrom.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first and second sets of buttons and the first and second sets of button holes comprises six of each.
 3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first or second set of buttons can cooperate with either the first or second set of button holes.
 4. A multi-purpose garment for wearing by a person, comprising: a. a substantially rectangular piece of fabric having first and second opposed long edges and first and second opposed short edges, and having a seam along all edges including a fusible interfacing incorporated therein; b. a first set of fasteners aligned along the first long edge beginning proximate the first short edge and spaced equidistantly beginning therefrom; c. a second set of fasteners aligned along the second long edge proximate the second short edge and spaced equidistantly beginning therefrom; d. a first set of receptors aligned along the second long edge beginning proximate the first short edge and spaced equidistantly therefrom; and e. a second set of receptors aligned along the first long edge beginning proximate the second short edge and spaced equidistantly therefrom.
 5. The garment of claim 4 wherein the first and second sets of fasteners and the first and second sets of receptors comprises six of each.
 6. The garment of claim 4 wherein the first or second set of fasteners can cooperate with either the first or second set of receptors.
 7. The garment of claim 4 wherein the garment comprises a shawl.
 8. The garment of claim 4 wherein the garment comprises a scarf.
 9. The garment of claim 4 wherein the garment comprises a sleeve.
 10. The garment of claim 4 wherein the garment comprises a skirt.
 11. The garment of claim 4 wherein the garment comprises a top.
 12. A method of manufacturing a multi-purpose garment comprising: a. selecting a fabric; b. shaping the selected fabric to a desired size substantially in the shape of a rectangle; c. creating a seam along an entire perimeter of the substantially rectangular fabric; d. sewing the seam having a stipling within the seam; e. including a first set of fasteners aligned along the first long edge beginning proximate the first short edge and spaced equidistantly beginning therefrom; f. including a second set of fasteners aligned along the second long edge proximate the second short edge and spaced equidistantly beginning therefrom; g. including a first set of receptors aligned along the second long edge beginning proximate the first short edge and spaced equidistantly therefrom; and h. including a second set of receptors aligned along the first long edge beginning proximate the second short edge and spaced equidistantly therefrom. wherein the first or second set of fasteners can cooperate with either the first or second set of receptors to fasten together the corresponding edges. 